Bastien Bros Huron 15

[Iskweo]

I managed to acquire some 8 oz canvas for this one as an experiment. We shall see how that works out. I did find it to be rather more stretchy than the usual 10oz stuff. Although we did initially just hand stretch the canvas, once the ends were done I resorted to using the stretching tool to tighten up the sides. It was too puckery.
It should tighten up a git after the end cut preservative dries.

Robin, just to appease the gods, I used some of the old tacks you gave us to secure the overlap on the ends. It seemed like the right thing to do. There are a bunch of staples in there too so its almost an ironclad.

We had the 16 foot Langford beside it on the grass the other day and what a huge difference in sizes. I can see that if I was to build a Huron using the lighter construction of the Langford that it would be a very handy little canoe. The wheels are spinning...lol.

 

[Mihun09]

It is getting to be more difficult to find oil based paints and rust type is the only thing to be had locally. The dealer also made note that soon the oil based paints will no longer be available, so even rust paint will be water based.

Considering Christy wants this boat to be yellow, I went with yellow rust paint as the base for the filler. Scratches should show less. The epoxy finish will have to wait until she has funds. Considering how long that was going to be, we went with a more traditional filler, although I did modify the recipe this time around. Friday was warm enough to do the mildewcide, which is end cut preservative put on with a pump sprayer. It stinks so we always do it outside. I had to move it in early due to the 40 mph winds that day but so be it.

So now we just wait. Likely cure faster since I took the linseed oil out of the mix. Now to find room for it to sit in the boat house.

 

[Robin]

Looking good, I like that stretching rig. Maybe that canvas is #12. number 8 is really thick. I used lighter #12 for that Faber canoe, now that it's beginning to warm up I will haul it out of the basement and pant it, hope the 12 was a good decision.
Glad you got to use those tacks, I need to bring some paint up there next trip.

 

[Mihun09]

Sounds like a plan Robin. How's about some of that Chestnut grey? Christy doesn't like it much but even just a colour swatch I could mix it from would be good. Never hurts to have different colours available to us. The canvas is lighter than the usual 10, Christy got enough for one boat, but we have a 25 yard roll of 10 for the others that need it. The Y-stern is up next in a couple of weeks, should be a treat to figure out how to stretch that one.

 

[Iskweo]

Yes Robin it is #12 canvas, or 8 oz as I refer to it. It was a gift from a friend. I wanted to see if it would be lighter after filler is applied. This filler recipe looks promising. Since the only reason we can see for boiled linseed oil is canvas preservation, and we use deck sealer for that anyway, we left it out of the mix. The other reason was that the new paints are much thinner than older ones and all the extra linseed oil and varsol was making it too runny.
We had considered simply painting the canvas at one point to see how that worked, but the silica is pretty necessary for strength. So we did slightly less silica and then added varsol to suit. The first batch was a touch thick and didnt spread very well but karin adjusted and it went on smooth after that.

Cross your fingers.

 

[Mihun09]

I was just out there and hit some rough spots with a sanding sponge. I bet we can sand and paint in a couple of weeks since it is basically just paint, spar varnish and silica flour.

 

[Mihun09]

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2 coats of finish paint on, a nice light yellow which doesn't look good indoors. I could only find one outwale and I had to search back to October last year to remember that we need to replace them. So far no wood long enough in stock, we need 14' 2" and we also need to have the boat ready for the May long weekend in 2 1/2 weeks as we are both taking solo's on that trip.

 

[Mihun09]

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Douglas Fir outers in process. Very dry wood so we soaked them about 30 hours before installing tonight. Mostly. When Christy did the scarfs Saturday she used one of those new-fangled wood glues for the joints which was surprising since we normally use epoxy. So anyway, complete and utter failure of those joints. Mind you, soaking the one in boiling water may have added to it, but it just separated with the slightest pressure when trying to do the bend up. The glue also scraped off easy with a chisel. After they dry overnight I will epoxy them tomorrow and carry on Wednesday night.

The pieces of green tape on the inners mark which ribs are getting drilled so we don't mess that up. A screw every two ribs provides great clamping pressure for the canvas.

 

[Iskweo]

We messed up and put the scarfs at the ends and then when we tried to bend them, the first one snapped and the second one just musshed right in two with no effort at all. Which is surprising since karin was bending them pretty hard the other day. Note to self...always put scarfs in the middle.
Bottom line is they are on the boat and drying. It is starting to look pretty.

 

[Mihun09]

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All ready for it's inaugural trip this coming weekend.

 

[memaquay]

That is truly a thing of beauty!

 

[Alan Gage]

Yeehaw, looks great! Looking forward to seeing it on the water.

Alan

 

[stripperguy]

Yeow...that is a pretty boat!!

 

[Odyssey]

I shouldn't be surprised you've turned out another beautiful canoe, but wow!!

 

[martin2007]

A real pleasure to watch you make my old favourite beautiful again. I hope you get good weather for your upcoming inaugural duo-in-solos trip. Happy paddling!

 

[Robin]

Nice looking canoe, that interior really shines. Can't wait o see pics of it in action.

 

[snapper]

Haven't comment prior to this but you've restored a beautiful boat and putting it back into use. The canoe gods are thanking you for your efforts. May you be rewarded with many years of paddling ahead.

Until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[Canotrouge]

Nice work, look awesome!!

 

[Iskweo]

This is pretty much the vision I had in my head when I went looking for one of these. I like Karin and Rob's Jacks Specials and all, but really, I am a wood canvas chick. The idea of a stripper made from this hull is nice but as long as I can hoist this one up, it will be what I use.
I have an idea to make a mold and build lightened versions of this Huron with thinner ribs and better fitted planking. I do have my 14 footer and that should be a touch lighter once it is done. I dont know how the heck we are going to top this one though. The nice amber patina on the inside just hugs you. I cant wait to paddle it.

Thanks for all the thumbs up, and you are welcome Martin. Thanks for letting us have her.

Christy